Winter is not over yet. It’s time to redouble your efforts to take advantage of the last snowy trails, the last icy walls. It could also be a good time to renew equipment that has served well or clothes that have been put to the test. Indeed, the end-of-season sales seem to be on the agenda this year.
No two years are the same, says Cédric Morisset, president of La Cordée. “This year, there are a lot of stocks in the sports market; consumers are the winners. »
Traditionally, end-of-season sales aim to reduce excess inventory items to make room for new season gear. “Instead of putting bikes in my back room, I would find myself keeping skis all summer,” says Cédric Morisset. It wouldn’t work. »
The effects of the pandemic faded
It may happen that there is hardly any surplus stock at the end of the season. This is what we have seen during the two years of the pandemic. “The only thing you could do during those two years was go play outside,” recalls Cédric Morisset.
To this we had to add major supply problems. “I saw, with my eyes, people who were practically fighting for the last pair of skis,” says Morisset. In that time, you don’t need to go on sale. »
PHOTO HUGO-SÉBASTIEN AUBERT, THE PRESS
Big discounts on ski boots can be interesting.
The situation is very different this year. Given the growth in demand and supplier delivery issues during the pandemic, retailers have tended to buy a little more gear and apparel than usual.
“But at the end of the year, we see that life has resumed, people have started to travel again, the planes are full, the hockey tournaments have resumed, lists Cédric Morisset. So there is still a lot of inventory in the sports market. »
Whether we are talking about skis, clothing or winter boots, the customer will find sales to his advantage.
Cédric Morisset, president of La Cordée
Even if it can seem demoralizing to buy beautiful brand new skis and to use them only once or twice before putting them away for the summer, Cédric Morisset argues that winter is not over and that there is still lots of snow. And he recalls that with the current inflation rate, prices will inevitably rise next season.
To wait or not?
But is it a good strategy to systematically wait for the end of season sales to renew your outdoor equipment and wardrobe? “This year is a good year for consumers, but that doesn’t mean it will be the same next year,” says the president of La Cordée. Retailers are likely to be more cautious in their purchases. »
He adds that outdoor enthusiasts also don’t benefit from waiting a few more weeks in the hope of seeing prices fall further.
Currently, we are in our most “aggressive” discounts. It couldn’t get any more “aggressive” than that.
Cédric Morisset, president of La Cordée
Obviously, you have to compare the sales at the various retailers, whether it’s La Cordée, MEC, SAIL or Atmosphere. The same winter boots can fetch 25-30% off depending on the retailer. And a popular model of racket may get a small 20% discount at one retailer and no discount at all at others.
Even if it’s a good year for the consumer, you have to put your mind to it and do some research.
Suggested video
Brave amateurs
Fans take to the track after the race in Kitzbühel, Austria, with relative success. You don’t need to understand German to have fun with the commentators.
digit of the week
5730
This is the number of kilometers traveled by patrollers on the P’tit Train du Nord cross-country ski trail between Val-David and Saint-Jérôme during the winter of 2021-2022.